PSG vs. Barça: Can Mbappé decide epic European rivalry again?

After three years since their last meeting in the Round of 16 a new rivalry has begun between Paris Saint-Germain You can also find out more about the following: Barcelona On Wednesday they will meet in the Gymnasium. Champions League quarterfinals. There is no quarterfinals this time. Lionel Messi, Neymar You can also find out more about Luis Suárez in either camp, but PSG manager Luis Enrique, a Barça legend, is now going up against his former captain, Xavi Hernández, who is looking to deliver a trophy for the Blaugrana This is his last year as coach.

Superstar Kylian Mbappé Take on Robert Lewandowski The battle for the fronts is fought by teenage stars Warren Zaïre-Emery You can also find out more about the following: Lamine Yamal Will look to steal show. Let’s take a look at some of the storylines, talking points, and tensions that this tie contains.

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Can Mbappé punish Real Madrid’s archrivals?

Between now and the end of the season, every game in a PSG shirt will be critical for Mbappé as he nears a move away from the club, with sources telling ESPN that Real Madrid is his destination. When he scored twice in San Sebastián against Real Sociedad In the final round, Spain watched him closely and took note. Mabppé certainly played like he wanted to impress before crossing the Pyrenees in the summer to join Los Blancos.

It will be even bigger against Barça. Future MerengueIt would be a great pleasure for his fans to see him eliminate their arch-rivals. Luis Enrique may have been brutal with him in recent matches (against Monaco You can also find out more about the following: MarseilleStarting him off the bench is a good idea (against Reims You can also find out more about the following: NantesHe wants to end his PSG-career on the best possible note. He scored 39 times in his 40 club games this season. Lyon The 25th of May is a holiday.

It is his goal to win the Champions League. The Champions League is his ultimate goal, which is why he has stayed with PSG two extra years. There are still three more rounds to go before achieving this dream. The Catalans are the first obstacle, however, and Mbappé is relishing it.

Luis Enrique and his Barça legacy

Luis Enrique’s two quarter-final matches, at home and abroad, will mark special occasions. Former Barcelona player and manager (1996-2004), Luis Enrique is a legend of the club. As part of their famous treble, he guided the team to its last Champions League win in 2015. He won a Cup Winners’ Cup against PSG as a play in the 1997 final and four other trophies. LaLiga Total titles with Catalan team. Although he is from Gijón, in the north-western region of in Asturias, he feels strongly about Barcelona; the club, the city, the people and the mentality.

The Luis Enrique Show will continue to take place before, during and following both matches. Luis loves the limelight, but wants to perform his job. His contract is up for another year and he’s happy to be in Paris. It was suggested that Xavi could choose him to replace him when he leaves Barcelona next June. However, he said on his Twitch page three weeks ago he will be staying with the French capital. Regardless, facing “his” Barça will mean much more to him than any other game has for a long time, perhaps ever.

The European Classic

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Paris 4-0 Barcelona (Agg: 4-0)
Barcelona 6-1 Paris (Agg: 6-5)

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— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 8, 2020

PSG vs. Barcelona is a European Classic. It has been a European Classic for the past 10 or so years. All other matches were knockout games. The only encounters in group stage were 2014, with both teams winning. PSG, under Carlo Ancelotti in 2013, lost to away goals in both Paris (2-2) and Spain (1-1). In 2015 En route to their 2015 treble, Barça’s “MSN” (Messi-Suárez-Neymar) trio was too strong, winning 5-1 on aggregate. In 2021, Mbappé scored a hat trick at Camp Nou and another goal in Paris in the second leg to knock out Messi.

The most legendary and iconic game is, of course, FIFA. The famous “Remontada” Comeback in 2017. Luis Enrique, after losing the first round of-16 match 4-0 to Paris, led Barcelona in one of the most incredible comebacks ever. They won 6-1 with an improbable goal scored in the 95th minutes and a lot of controversy. The way that the Parisians crumbled in the first leg was more memorable. It still haunts the club today.

What is the ideal route to the Final?

The tie has gained a whole lot of appeal with this draw, as the winner faces Atlético Madrid You can also find out more about Borussia Dortmund In the semi-finals. PSG and Barcelona are the favorites to beat either of them. Colchoneros BVB or BVB. Especially with the second home leg. So beating their European rivals would open the door nicely toward another Champions League final, which would be incredible for Mbappé for his last-ever game for PSG. Mbappe would be able to redeem 2020 as well as the loss at the last hurdle against Bayern Munich (1-0).

Xavi, his team and the world would not have believed it a couple of weeks ago when he declared he’d be leaving the club at the end. He was 90 minutes away from a Champions League win. The dream still has a long way to go.